I thought that limitation had something to do with the different modulation used by the community stations: QPSK compared to 64-QAM that the others use.
The modulation choice is an effect not a cause.
Basically, community TV were limited to 1 SD channel - to avoid them multichanneling and threatening commercial TV - and in turn, as they were only needing 1 SD channel, they were assigned a license with an antenna pattern/power restriction that factored in the use of QPSK, rather than the normal 16-QAM planning.
I canāt find the actual language of the restriction to 1 SD channel though - but I believe both the single SD and the use of QPSK were required.
The other stations like those in Darwin and remote WA are on HPON rather than community licenses - so arenāt covered by either these restrictions, or plans to shut them down; I suppose similar to how they didnāt bother restacking those areas to fit the block planning - because thereās no competing demand for the spectrum no oneās complaining.
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Trying to find any legislation about this and coming up with naught so far, but found this interesting comment in a 2007 report into options for digital CTV broadcasting:
C31 Melbourne explained that it has the content to be able to operate more than a single standard definition channel.
ā¦ one Indigenous station, one childrenās channel, one ethnic channel, a diverse channel and our normal mainstream community channel we could pretty much fill up [a seven megahertz channel] tomorrow.
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It is mentioned in an amendment to the Radiocommunications Act 1992 that allowed the two stations to continue to broadcast beyond 1 July this year.
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Ideally long term, a national CTV station ran by ACTA which is 31 and 44 and could add other state organisations to it over time would be the best solution. One national feed of local community programs from all the markets. Both online and on FTA. Either on the SBS or ABC mux or on some other way.
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100% thisā¦
But then it ceases to be community television. Itās got to be produced locally in each market. A nationwide-community/local TV didnāt work in NZ (take Stratos for an example), I donāt see it working in Australia either. Yes it may bring down some costs, but you lose the point of community TV.
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Works for Face TV, no?
?? Itās the content thatās local not the distribution arm? Community channels routinely air content from other markets, 44 airs a lot of content made from Melbourne, and vice versa. Makers of the programs are mostly independent from the actual channels.
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Face is on pay-tv only, so no. Weāre talking FTA here.
Yeah sure, but if youāre going to network it, only one station will be training local peopleā¦ what about the rest? I guess with only two stations, it doesnāt really matter now.
Each station is made up of organisations such as RMITV that train people, nothing stopping that from continuing as well as having a studio facility in multiple states, as long as they can make it work financially.
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Great news! I still think they should have tried to partner with an existing BVOD channel but if they can go it alone and make it successful then all power to them.
Going on their own would give them much more freedom. But maybe in future they could cut a deal to also become a content hub on a existing service in addition to their own service.
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Yup, more viewers and possible ad revenue can only be a good thing.
Still surprised theyāve managed to get to the stage of having their own catch-up service, impressive effort.
CTV+ has launched.
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I guess this will be their future should C31 and 44 Adelaide be taken off the air.
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Statement incoming, but hearing a public ceremony for the 2021 Antenna Awards has been again called off due to Melbourneās lockdown.
Edit: Confirmation below.
UPDATE: We have been closely monitoring the unfolding situation across Australia with firmly crossed fingers in the hopes of being able to proceed with our intended rescheduled date for the 2021 Antenna Awards on September 18th but it has become increasingly clear that holding the event as planned on that date is unlikely.
In addition, we have received advice from our event partners that it is unlikely that a capacity or near-capacity event in 2021 will be possible. We were desperate to find a way to celebrate Community TVās recent three-year licence renewal with an in-person event, whilst paying tribute to our many great program makers nominated for this years awards but in the interests of keeping everyone safe we have made the decision, in consultation with our friends in Adelaide, to cancel the awards ceremony as planned for 2021.
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Not until it is an App that can be loaded onto smart televisions.
Being a website only will die a death.
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